Better Than the Movies

I went on Spotify and actually searched if someone has created a playlist for this book. True enough, someone was kind enough to put together a playlist based on the songs that are mentioned in the book. One song is missing, though. It is Bella Luna by Jason Mraz and I know this because I put that song on when I was on the chapter where the said song was mentioned and I LOVE that song.

Now that lengthy introduction would already scream that I HEART this book. If there is a rom-com destined to be your fave in 2021, let this be the one. It is predictable right from the start, but it is so well-written in the way that you could not stop reading it.

“Enemies-to-lovers - it's our trope, Buxbaum.”

I love how the female main, Liz, is flawed. I love that she has trouble moving on with her own life after her mother's death. It definitely put things in perspective on why Liz is the way she is – how she refused to enjoy certain things in life. And how she is stuck to have that perfect rom-com ending to her love life. At certain point, you feel like you want to strangle her and yell at her to buck the fuck up and open her eyes wide, but you could identify with her as well.

And then there's this funny, charming and patient Wes. He's the boy-next-door, the one who is giving the girl a hard time, who make fun of her all the time and the mischievous one. And you know straight away that he is so done. Done. Period. I'll have Wes in a heartbeat, make no mistake about that.

Plus point – rom-com movie quotes at the beginning of every chapter, aptly placed, describing the situation. I'd give it a solid 5, but nothing in this world is as perfect as a rom-com love story, no?

“Sometimes we get so tied up in our idea of what we think we want that we miss out on the amazingness of what we could actually have.”
~
A modern day, movie quoting, 80's teenage romcom, and I am here for it! Liz must have the perfect boy, and to do so she enlists the help of her annoying neighbor to get her there. Teen drama ensues; plenty of laughs, a bit of tears, and of course frustrations at Liz not seeing what is right in front of her.

An endearing bit of fluff that was too full of pop culture references for my taste. The plot is yawningly predictable but the characters are so strongly drawn and the dialogue is sharp; if Painter devised a less hackneyed storyline, well, I'd probably be gushing like a fountain and calling her my new favorite author.

It’s rare for a YA romance book to live up to the hype, and let me tell you… this one does. I think it is in part due to the fact that although this is a book that is obviously set in high school, it didn’t feel childish. It felt just like a classic, sweet, and funny romance story. I could easily see this book being made into a movie that I watch multiple times on repeat.

As a rom-com lover, this book was the perfect mix. I loved all the references to my favorite movies and seeing the tropes play out in a way that broke the fourth wall but also was serious in playing them out. Not only that, but it is clear that Wes… ELITE male romance lead. He was funny, sweet, and clearly madly in love with the girl even if she didn’t see it. (Also… is it just me who pictured a Dylan O'Brian in his Teen Wolf era as Wes while reading this book?). I was practically swooning at certain parts.

This book is also hilarious in a way that I wasn’t expecting. There are multiple events where it seems like fate is trying to tell our brilliant female lead to maybe look for romance elsewhere, but goodness… it was gold. I truly found myself laughing at the absurdity while also thinking about how that could totally happen to me (misfortune is my bestie…what can I say?)

As with any good romance book, it touched on more topics than just romance and “getting the guy”. It dealt with grief and what it’s like to NOT move on while everyone else does. It was such as interesting and yet relevant subject that was written in a really relatable way.

Overall, I loved this book. It was a perfect weekend read, and I can see myself re-reading it in the future. It gives you hope… and if you are a hopeless romantic already, this book will just add to the proof that it exists. I would highly recommend!

No, it certainly wasn't better than the movies.

Liz was an impossible heroine to root for. She was so unlikeable to me. Obsessive and profoundly immature and not-like-other-girls she treats people like chess pieces in her attempt to force her life to be a rom-com movie.

She has no boundaries. She goes after Michael despite knowing nothing about him except she's obsessed with him since she was ten for no apparent reason other than his southern accent and she doesn't even care he likes another girl. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Wes become a collateral victim in this. The dead parent is a cheap plot device to make you feel sorry for her and excuse her appalling behaviour. The way she treats her step-mom, Wes, and Michael is so messed up. Also, remember that poor kid she terrorised and held hostage because she was trying to force him to enact some husband-and-wife fantasy?

When I say characters need therapy, sometimes I say that because I feel their pain and I want them to go get therapy so they can feel better and improve their lives and other times I say that because I feel they are a danger to others and they need therapy to become somewhat bearable humans. When I'm saying Liz needs therapy, it's the latter.

This is also an example of enemies-to-lovers done wrong. Wes wasn't behaving like an ‘enemy' and fighting over a parking space is not a feud. She also mentions his brown eyes in the first couple of chapters. The story hadn't even begun and I already saw how it would turn out.

Overall, it was not an enjoyable book. It was full of tropes that were poorly executed.

“Besides, what's more fun than a story that starts with a fake relationship?”

The audible evil laugh that left my body when I read this line....

This has been in my ‘to be read' pile for a while now and I am so happy I decided to finally pick it up and read it.

It is so cliche in the best way. The type of way that makes you want to scream and kick your feet like a teenager and I am not embarrassed to admit that I love those types of stories.

I think we have all had that crush on someone who has felt so attainable yet unattainable at the same time. This really brought me back to those feelings before I discovered what love actually felt like and it made me feel giddy in a nostalgic way.

“You look best when you're you.”

If someone ever said this to me I swear that I would just melt. This is the sweetest sentence that could ever be said to someone.

I am a sucker for male protagonists who are just complete himbos in the best ways and I am so happy I got that in Wes. He instantly became a favourite for me, definitely a comfort character. I can't get over how beautifully written he was, he definitely made this story ten times better for me.

Is it silly that I fell more in love with this book purely because they mentioned another one of my favourites (Gone Girl)? The minute Liz and Wes brought it up I started beaming.

“Please don't ever become a strangerWhose laugh I could recognize anywhere—”

These lyrics always make me want to crawl into a ball and sob so to have them featured in this book ruined my life in the best way possible (and worst way).

“Nah—I didn't like you until recently.”“Enemies-to-lovers—it's our trope, Buxbaum.”

This book actually had me laughing out loud and that's why it gets such a high rating from me. You know I really enjoyed a book when my review is just me making no sense but this book just made me feel something and that's why it got 5 stars which is rare as hell for me.

I will definitely be rereading this in the future.

This was a delight to read. Or listen because I “read” the audio book. The narrator did such an awesome job at it, that I was glued to my earphones!
This is the perfect romcom book that will have you squealing throughout! Although I remember feeling annoyed by the MC in the beggining, she grew on me in such a way that I can't even remember why I found her annoying at first. Honestly I can't wait to watch the TV/movie adaptation - it will become an instant classic!

La verdad que estoy MUY decepcionada de este libro. Siento que varias cosas fueron muy forzadas, diálogos que me dejaban con un gran signo de pregunta arriba de mí cabeza.

Podemos comenzar por el hecho de que la protagonista me pareció el personaje peor escrito en la historia de la humanidad? Estaba entre una chica caprichosa y una pick me girl pero solamente con el pibe que le “"”gustaba”, que cabe aclarar solamente “le gustaba” porque era todo lo que la madre claramente quería para su hija, todo siendo producto de las típicas películas de comedia romántica. Y siento que la muerte de su madre no es justificación de nada y menos de como trataba a Helena, lo veo así y puede ser que esté mal pero bueno eran cosas que realmente me molestaba.

Había momentos en los que literalmente quería llorar de la bronca, me genera ODIO.

Lo único que puedo destacar de la historia es Wes y las dos estrellas solamente van a para el.

Tengo que dejar de generar expectativas por este tipo de libros.

The cutest rom-com I've ever read so far. ❤️❤️❤️
The perfect fluffy puppy-love that I never had during school years. (I so want a Wes for my own right now!!!)
The plot is simple and has been done so many time before but the execution was so good. It didn't make me feel cheesy or make me roll my eyes, which I sometimes do when reading romance. This book made me laugh along, swoon along, cry along with the characters. Thank you for letting me experience all these feels when my life is so utterly boring right now.

3.5/5

This was such a delightful read for anyone looking for a light and predictable escape, and it delivers exactly what it promises: a classic rom-com within a rom-com experience.

The story leans into familiar tropes, which some readers might find predictable. However, this predictability becomes a strength for those seeking a comforting and easy read. The narrative flows smoothly, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing morning coffee, or afternoon downtimes.

The references and nods to classic rom-com films throughout the story are a treat for fans of the genre. This extends beyond the narrative, with a fantastic music playlist included at the end of the book. The playlist acts as the perfect soundtrack to the story, further immersing the reader in the world of Liz and Wes.

While Better Than the Movies doesn't break new ground in storytelling, it excels at delivering a feel-good experience. Highly recommended for readers who are in a major reading slump, or just fans of romance books in general.

Wow. I know it's only January but I can tell that this will be in my top 12 books of 2023. It was so so good. Wes has my entire heart. I absolutely loved everything about this book. I laughed, I cried, literally all the emotions. I can't wait for the second one because I need so much more of Wes and Liz. I hope Michael and Laney end up happy too. Ugh. I loved this so much.

was this plot completely predictable? yes. did any character have more than 1.5 character traits? no. did i still smile and kick my feet when the main characters finally kissed? YES ABSOLUTELY.

this book is sugary sweet and is nothing more and nothing less than it claims to be. however, in between very heavy reads, this was very very fun and an easy read. great ya beach read!!

(my one insane nitpick is that this books starts TWO WEEKS before senior prom and she STILL DOESN'T HAVE A DRESS?????? like yeah i get it's explained and is part of the story but there's no possible way ANYONE waits that long, that bugged me the entire time)